Compatable steering racks

[RM1SepEx]

I've seen that early WRX racks have a different mount (clamp over rubber vs. cast mounting ears) but mount at the same location

WRX have slower ratio than STI but same mounts

F5 Donor listing includes NA Imprezas, do they have the same ratio as a WRX?

My 05 WRX rack was destroyed, I bought a rack from an 06 impreza wagon (photo included), it doesn't come close to the same mounts, input is a different shaft (flats vs splines) and comes out at a different angle (See photo, WRX rack on top)

I see AJW using an outback sport as a NA donor...
what racks will actually work?

I'm confused

[PhyrraM]

I can see the N/As using a different mount because non-turbos use a completely different crossmember (rack bolts to crossmember). I am curious about the input splines because I see no reason to have different steering columns for the N/As.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the '89-'94 First gen Legacies had the fastest racks until the STIs and '06+ WRXs. They would use the older mounting and have non-WRX input splines.

[RM1SepEx]

so the 818 chassis will be made to mount two very different rack assemblies...

[PhyrraM]

I don't see any way around that if FFR is aiming to make ALL '02-'07 Imprezas proper donors. Good news for those contemplating using even older Subarus as donors.

[StatGSR]

I don't see any way around that if FFR is aiming to make ALL '02-'07 Imprezas proper donors. Good news for those contemplating using even older Subarus as donors.

sounds like re-using the front cross member for the car could have saved them a little extra work, though it would look terrible and and be mostly useless...

[RM1SepEx]

so... does anyone know what the ratio is for the NA rack? I can only find WRX and STI data online.
Do I depower my NA rack, expecting to use it and adapt from my WRX column to NA rack? The go kart does show some additional joints and a horizontal rack.
Or do I find a WRX rack and depower it?
I did get a refund for the incorrect rack and they didn't even want it back...
Can anyone else verify that I just didn't get a wrong part? Anyone dismantling an NA donor yet?
NAPA does list them as different, incompatable parts... Didn't have them in stock though to visually verify

[Evan78]

so... does anyone know what the ratio is for the NA rack? I can only find WRX and STI data online.It's not a conclusive answer, but Cars101.com lists the 2006 WRX (http://www.cars101.com/subaru/impreza/wrxsti2006.html) as having 2.7 turns lock to lock and a 35.4ft turning radius while the Impreza sedan and Outback Sport (http://www.cars101.com/subaru/impreza/impreza2006.html) have the same turning radius with 3.0 turns lock to lock.

You might try calling one of these guys, they might know off the top of their head:
http://www.q-rack.com/AboutQRack.html
http://www.landefabrication.com/products.html

[LS1RX7owen]

so... does anyone know what the ratio is for the NA rack? I can only find WRX and STI data online.
Do I depower my NA rack, expecting to use it and adapt from my WRX column to NA rack? The go kart does show some additional joints and a horizontal rack.
Or do I find a WRX rack and depower it?
I did get a refund for the incorrect rack and they didn't even want it back...
Can anyone else verify that I just didn't get a wrong part? Anyone dismantling an NA donor yet?
NAPA does list them as different, incompatable parts... Didn't have them in stock though to visually verifyI'm sure the info you need is somewhere on nasioc

[apexslider]

here's a good bit of info
http://www.rs25.com/forums/f128/t155557-steering-rack-swap-thread.html

If you want a good upgrade, http://www.q-rack.com/AboutQRack.html that's it.

[mrvwcastner]

I'm wanting to center mount my seat in 818R. That means I have 2 options as I see it. 1 buy a rack meant for a race car such as a circle track or 2 modify a subaru rack (most likely the better but more time consuming option). I'm not sure if moving the shifter box will create too tight radius bends in the push/pull cables as they are or if I will need custom cables. I will also need to rework diagonal brace in cockpit, but I think 2 short braces (1 on each side of me) will do nicely.

Does anyone on here have information about modifying these subaru racks? I have seen it done on other cars so I am sure its been documented.

[Mechie3]

NAPA does list them as different, incompatable parts... Didn't have them in stock though to visually verify

The FSM has two different sections and two different sets of tools required to disassemble the NA vs turbo racks, so they certainly are different.

[RM1SepEx]

I now have examples of both, they are very different so I'll be interested but not involved... as I did buy a 06 WRX rack that I depowered. If anyone needs a good, low milege Impreza (non WRX) rack I have one here for sale

[JRach]

This was one of the questions I wanted to ask FFR about. How do they address the different style mounting for the different style racks.

FWIW-

Old style mount- 93-05 Impreza (all, L, Brighton, WRX, RS etc)
04' STI

New Style mounts- 05-07 WRX/STI

16.5:1 ratio- 93-05 impreza, RS, L, WRX, 06-07 non turbo Impreza

15:1 ratio- 04' STI, 06-07 WRX/STI

[wallace18]

From the chassis pictures so far it seems both will work.

[PhyrraM]

FYI, for those that may have a hard time locating the "faster" racks:

The first gen Legacy ('90-'94) had the early style rack mounts with an "inbetween" ratio of 16.0:1. The column ujoints are the early style like the '93-'01 Impreza.

[Mechie3]

The go kart from SEMA used the old style rack. The original go kart used the 06 rack. They mount the same, just one requires a steel U bracket, the other bolts more directly.

[RM1SepEx]

so as long as the rack matches the steering column you are fine...

[metalmaker12]

You can make them both work, there are provisions for the 02-07 impreza, wrx or sti